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Spend Father’s Day Weekend at Crystal Bridges

Dad and daughter artmaking

Celebrate all the fathers in your life by spending a day at Crystal Bridges together. Whether you’re looking to spend a day walking through the galleries, strolling the grounds, or finding a fun activity for the weekend, there is something for everyone at Crystal Bridges to make this Father’s Day one to remember. 

Here are some recommendations for things to do at Crystal Bridges during Father’s Day weekend:

People looking at artwork hung on a wall in a gallery

1. Spend quality time in the galleries

Spend some time with the family exploring the galleries at Crystal Bridges (always free to view). Visit Dad’s favorite work, or discover something new. Talk about which works you like and why. What do you know about the artist? Continue your art exploration and spend some quality time together at the museum.

Rashid Johnson, The Bruising: For Jules, The Bird, Jack and Leni installation
Rashid Johnson, The Bruising: For Jules, The Bird, Jack and Leni, 2021, powder coated steel, plants, shea butter, ceramic pots, 15ft. 9 in. × 17ft. 7 1/4 in. × 17ft. 7 1/4 in. Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth © Rashid Johnson. Photo by Ironside Photography / Stephen Ironside.

2. Walk around the grounds and discover plants

Is your father figure more outdoorsy? Not to worry: Crystal Bridges has over five miles of walking and biking trails around the museum’s grounds. Plan on taking a stroll with the family and discover the natural flora and fauna of the area, plus enjoy over 30 sculptures along the trails.

People at spaced out tables eating in a restaurant
Photo by Ironside Photography / Stephen Ironside.

3. Treat Dad to Sunday brunch at Eleven

Enjoy floor-to-ceiling views of natural Ozark forest as you enjoy brunch with Dad under Jeff Koons’s Hanging Heart. Eleven’s brunch menu offers an array of American cuisine delights made with locally sourced ingredients, such as a mole benedict, smoked brisket hash, and a sweet potato short stack, all crafted to create a special Sunday experience. Brunch is served on Sundays, 11 am to 2:30 p.m. No reservations are required. Learn more here.

Table with watercolor and artist's hand

4. Take an art class together

Do you have a dad, grandfather, uncle, brother, or friend who would be interested in taking an art class? Crystal Bridges has an array of adult workshops and family activities throughout the year to get folks into the artmaking process. During Father’s Day weekend, there are two workshops available to treat a father in your life to build their art skills:

Virtual Workshop in a Box: Pollinator Garden Watercolor Workshop with Leana Fischer
Saturday, June 19, 1 to 4 pm
Learn watercolor techniques for painting a variety of botanical forms, as well as how to incorporate markers to achieve detailed, dynamic effects.

Adult Workshop: Geometric Realist Painting with Oluwatobi Adewumi
Saturday, June 20, 1 to 4 pm
Explore the boundaries between abstraction and realism in this afternoon painting workshop with guest artist Oluwatobi Adewumi.

Forest Concert

5. Enjoy live music in the forest on Saturday night

Every Saturday night in June and July, the forest comes alive with music during our Forest Concert Series! Treat the fathers in your life to a night of live music, surrounded by natural Ozark forest.

For Father’s Day weekend, the Forest Concert headliners are DeeDee Jones and Spud Howard. Presented in collaboration with Music Moves, this Juneteenth celebration explores the genre of Black protest music from the 1970s to the present. Enjoy familiar favorites and learn new songs as Jones and Howard perform soulful, high-energy tributes to Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, and other influential Black artists. Learn more and get tickets here.

Main lobby and Museum Store
Photo by Ironside Photography / Stephen Ironside.

6. Stop by the Museum Store for a little gift to celebrate Dad

The Museum Store, located in the newly redesigned lobby, offers unique gift ideas to continue your exploration of art, nature, architecture, and more. Pick up a new book, a puzzle featuring a Crystal Bridges artwork, or perhaps an original craftwork made by one of our local artisans.

Happy Father’s Day from Crystal Bridges!